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KU coach Bill Self says the Jayhawks will honor four seniors on Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse and the fifth will be radio announcer Bob Davis. Self spoke to reporters on Thursday at Allen Fieldhouse.

KU coach Bill Self says the Jayhawks will honor four seniors on Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse and the fifth will be radio announcer Bob Davis. Self spoke to reporters on Thursday at Allen Fieldhouse. jnewell@kcstar.com

KU coach Bill Self says the Jayhawks will honor four seniors on Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse and the fifth will be radio announcer Bob Davis. Self spoke to reporters on Thursday at Allen Fieldhouse. jnewell@kcstar.com

Quick scout: KU basketball should dominate one area against Iowa State

Before every KU basketball game, The Star’s Jesse Newell previews the Jayhawks’ upcoming opponent with a scouting report and prediction.

Saturday’s game: No. 21 Iowa State at No. 1 KU, 3 p.m. on ESPN

Opponent record: 21-9

KenPom (Ken Pomeroy) Ranking: 20

Point spread: KU by 9 1/2.

All statistics from KenPom.com and Hoop-Math.com. KenPom stats also only include Division I competition.

3 Strengths

▪ Two-point shooting: Although known for its outside shooting in recent years, Iowa State actually is the fourth-best two-point shooting team in the nation. The Cyclones are especially efficient at the rim, making 74 percent of their shots there (fifth nationally).

▪ Three-point shooting: Iowa State’s three-point shooting has improved in Big 12 play, when the team has shot 41 percent. The Cyclones are less reliant on threes than in the past, but they still are a team you can’t leave open on the perimeter.

▪ Foul avoidance: The Cyclones are third nationally in defensive free-throw rate, meaning Allen Fieldhouse (and its calls) might not affect them as much as other teams.

3 Weaknesses

▪ Drawing fouls: Iowa State is almost completely reliant on field goals for its points. The Cyclones rank 351st in offensive free-throw rate while getting only 14 percent of their offense from the line.

▪ Rebounding, both ends: The Cyclones mostly desert the offensive glass to get back in transition, ranking worst in Big 12 play in offensive rebounding percentage. They’re not much better on the defensive end, ranking eighth in the league in D-board percentage.

▪ Forcing turnovers: Iowa State is a passive team defensively, ranking last in conference play in both defensive turnover percentage and steal percentage.

Minus: Team’s best at getting to line but is poor free-throw shooter (55 percent)

Minus: Below-average shooter in mid-range

Prediction

KU has covered the spread in nine of the last 10 games, which is a remarkable run that shows how well the Jayhawks have been playing.

There are reasons to like Iowa State in this matchup. For one, the Cyclones don’t foul often, which is an advantage when playing at Allen Fieldhouse, where whistles often have an impact. KU coach Bill Self also has admitted often that Iowa State is often a tough team to guard because of its ability to stretch the floor with big men (like Niang) who can shoot.

Although many have considered this Cyclones season a disappointment, the team still enters with the nation’s second-best offense according to KenPom and have the firepower to keep up with KU in a shootout.

It’s a lot to ask against Saturday, though, especially when Iowa State is likely to get beaten up by KU on the glass.

Expect a fast-paced, high-transition, free-flowing, fun-to-watch game. It’s tough for opponents to win in that style at Allen Fieldhouse, though, and I think the Jayhawks’ offense will be good enough against the Cyclones’ poor defense to pull away in the end.

Kansas 90, Iowa State 77

Jesse’s pick to cover spread: Kansas

Hawk to Rock

It might be hard for Perry Ellis to guard Georges Niang, but it’s also extremely difficult for Niang to guard Ellis. KU’s forward has a perfect defensive matchup for his senior night, and in a high-possession contest, a 25- to 30-point effort shouldn’t be out of the question.